News

New roofs constructed for entrance to Cologne Southern Cemetery

The beehive-like structures were previously built from
limestone. Unstable tiles and small defects had led to lime stains
and flood damage to the fabric beneath.

It is hoped that the new solid stone roofs will prevent such
weather damage in the future. The roofs have been given a
smoothed effect, whilst still replicating the appearance of the
previous over-sailing tiles.

Southern Cemetery is one of four permanent cemeteries
commemorating Commonwealth servicemen and women who died
across Germany in the two World Wars.

There are now 2,482 First World War servicemen buried or
commemorated in the Commonwealth plots at Cologne. The total
includes special memorials to a number of casualties buried in
other cemeteries in Germany, whose graves could not be found.

The Commonwealth section of the cemetery also contains 132 Second
World War graves, mostly those of servicemen who died with the
occupying forces.

More photographs of the renovation are available on our Facebook page.